National News

ISLAMABAD,(MILLAT+APP): Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign
Affairs on Tuesday said the government believed in policies of
socio-economic growth and in peaceful neighbourhood to ensure
sustainable development and poverty eradication.
Addressing a seminar organized by Sustainable Development
Policy Institute (SDPI) here, Aziz stressed that optimum utilization
of resources besides economic and social development were
significant for poverty eradication.
The Adviser said Pakistan was pursuing the policy of trade
over aid and urged upon the developed countries to ensure meting out
fair treatment to developing states in their policies.
He said mutual cooperation at provincial and national level
was underway to achieve the goals of sustainable development.
Sartaj Aziz said the real obstacles for poverty reduction were
in fact of political nature.
He mentioned that postponement of SAARC (South Asian
Association for Regional Cooperation) summit, earlier scheduled to
be held in Islamabad, halted the progress in social and economic
sectors.
He said Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were not meant
for development countries only, but were creating trade space for
developing countries as well.
He said investment in development of common man was the
smartest option and stressed that many internal conflicts and crises
could have been avoided if investment was made in the lives of
common man such as shelter, health and education.
Sartaj Aziz said China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was
a testimony of strong and exemplary relations between China and
Pakistan.
He emphasized that regional connectivity and mutual sharing of
experiences in different fields could ensure region’s progress and
stability.
The Adviser also stressed the need for taking effective steps
to address environmental changes.